Magdalene

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Magdalene

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, German
Etymology:
Magdalene, the German form of Magdalena, the Latin form of Magdala was originally a by name from the Bible. It belonged to Mary Magdalene, or Mary of Magdala (Magdala being a village near the Sea Galilee). Magdala may mean “Large Tower.”

History:
Magdalene, although not originally a personal name, has been used as one since the Middle Ages. In Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden and Poland the name Magdala became Magdalena, or Magdalene coming from Latin. In England, however, the French version, Madeleine was the most common form.
The French version, Madeleine had crossed the channel early, becoming Maudlin, Madlin, Maudeleyn, and finally, Madeline (a Madelina was noted in England as early as 1221).
After the Reformation, and the increased study of the Bible, Magdalen was revived, but it never rivaled Madeline.

Pronunciation: mag-dall-inn.

Diminutives: Magda, Maddie, Maddy, Alena.
Danish: Lone.
French: Madelon.
Polish: Madzia.

Alternates: Magdalen, Magdala.
Czech: Magdalina.
Danish: Magdalone, Malene.
English: Madeline (SEE BELOW).
French: Madeleine, Madeline, Magdeleine.
Hawaiian: Makelina.
Hungarian: Magdolna.
Irish Gaelic: Madailéin.
Italian: Maddalena.
Polish: Magdalena, Magdalina, Madlen.
Russian: Magdalina.
Welsh: Modlen.

See also: Maddie, Madeline (Madeleine).

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930-)
Polish artist.

Miscellaneous:
Magda Lupescu (1896-1977)
Mistress and later wife of King Carol II of Romania.

Religious Figures:
Saint Mary Magdalene(1908-1996)
A follower of Jesus.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.052 % named Madeline
0.015 % named Magdalena
0.010 % named Madelyn
0.009 % named Madeleine
0.005 % named Magda
0.004 % named Magdalene
0.003 % named Alena
0.002 % named Madalyn
0.002 % named Madaline
0.002 % named Magdalen
0.002 % named Madlyn
0.001 % named Maddie
0.001 % named Madalene
0.001 % named Madelene
0.001 % named Madelaine

Popularity of Magdalene:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 465th most popular.
1910-1920: 552nd most popular.
1920-1930: 570th most popular.
1930-1940: 714th most popular.
1940-2000: N/A

Popularity of Magdalena:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 489th most popular.
1910-1920: 652nd most popular.
1920-1930: 688th most popular.
1930-1940: 714th most popular.
1940-1950: 716th most popular.
1950-1960: 682nd most popular.
1960-1970: 715th most popular.
1970-1980: 821st most popular.
1980-1990: 886th most popular.
1990: 751st most popular.
1991: 820th most popular.
1992: 815th most popular.
1993: 698th most popular.
1994: 703rd most popular.
1995: 733rd most popular.
1996: 789th most popular.
1997: 730th most popular.
1998: 843rd most popular.
1999: 902nd most popular.
2000: 892nd most popular.
2001: 850th most popular.
2002: 986th most popular.
2003: 913th most popular.

Popularity of Magdalen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 832nd most popular.
1910-1920: 905th most popular.
1920-2000: N/A

Popularity of Magdeleine:
Popularity (for newborns):
In France...
1900: 157th most popular.
1910: 131st most popular.
1920: 149th most popular.
1928: 191st most popular.
1930-2000: N/A